Bradley Townsend becomes first Briton killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Bradley Townsend, a 33-year-old former fisherman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, is believed to be the first British national confirmed dead while fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine. Townsend reportedly died on June 10 near the town of Lyman in the Donetsk region after being struck by a remote-controlled FPV drone during an offensive operation.

Townsend left the United Kingdom in April, initially telling family and friends he was traveling to Romania. Instead, he traveled to Moscow, where he reportedly met with other British pro-Russian fighters, including Aiden Minnis and Ben Stimson, to enlist in the Russian military. Townsend, who had no prior military training, stated in a video that he joined to ‘repay the favour’ of historical support from Donbas miners to Yorkshire miners during the 1980s strikes.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed it is in contact with his family. British officials and politicians have condemned the decision to join enemy forces, with some acquaintances describing him as having been ‘brainwashed’ or ‘indoctrinated.’ His mother has expressed the family's distress, noting that Russia has been uncooperative regarding the repatriation of his body.